SNAIL (the Special Needs Assistance Independent League) was started 4 years ago. Unfortunately, because of my health and due to a shortage of volunteers we played 2 years and was off for 3 years.

Our goal is to start-up again, Spring of 2010

What makes SNAIL different than other leagues is:

• There's no charge to play (Snap4kids funds our program (field fees @ $50 a game - we play 8 games in a season; t-shirts and hats - range anywhere from $10 to $15 each; and insurance.) Now you see why it takes volunteers to keep it running. Lots of funding is required.
• We play 2 innings (more if the kids feel like it and the weather is good); everyone gets to bat; there are no outs, no strikes and no score is kept; if you can play without a tee then that's great too. Actually, we prefer that you try without a tee (you'd be surprised how well a kid in a wheelchair can hit a ball.) Children are not allowed to pitch (just coaches.
• We're open to children ages 5 to 18, with mental and/or physical disabilities.
• A parent or guardian (or someone very knowledgeable regarding the player’s condition) must be with the child during game time.
• It’s highly recommended that every child have a buddy. The buddy can be a sibling.
• The average game is between one hour and one hour and thirty minutes.
• Games are played on Sundays (we do our best to make sure you don’t miss church. For those of you that attend.)
• At the end of both innings, the teams line up next to home plate, where they will proceed to snake the hands of the other team members. (Now during this time, many kids have their own way of saying things. - Just think of Taylor Hicks, saying, “Soul Patrol.”)
• The number of players registered will tell us how many players will be on a team.
• We prefer to contact you through email regarding game times and dates. However, we can always use a “Team Mom,” to call everyone instead.
• We recommend that the first inning, the players bat regarding their last names, A to Z.
• Then on the next inning, you’d reverse the batting order from, Z -A.
• Of course the last person batting receives an automatic homerun.
• It’s preferred that players only move 1 base at a time. (Unless of course, it’s a far away ball.)
• Each team must have a coach. The coach is responsible for making sure his/her team is shows up on time. The coach is also responsible for keeping the batting order going swiftly (if we don’t keep it hopping, then the kids get anxious.) And last but not least, the coach must yell, “Last Batter,” when their last batter bats.
• Even if “last batter” is called, the team that is on the field, must stay there until the last player touches home plate.
• Players are allowed to try and hit the ball (a maximum of 7 times) before their coach or their buddy is allowed to assist them.
• It’s recommended that each player arrive 10 to 15 minutes before their scheduled game time.
• If you are the buddy of someone in a wheelchair and that person cannot get the ball off the ground, then it’s your job to pick up the ball. Hand the ball to the player. Then the player throws the ball. Even if the ball is only thrown 2 feet, it’s looked upon as they still threw it. What you would do in this case is, kick the ball to the pitcher’s mound.
• If you are not going to be attending a game, please let your coach or team mom know immediately.
• Bats and helmets are provided.  So, you might want to bring a mitt for your child. Mitts are the only item we don’t provide.